Type-bar-shifting mechanism.



No. 687,861 v Patented Dec. 3, 1901.

V c. SPIRD. TYPE BAR SHIFTING MECHANISM.

(Application filed Oct. 23, 1900] (H Modelx 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

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Patented Dec. 3, 190i.

(Application filed Oct. 23, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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CHARLES SPIRO, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TYPE-BAR-SHIFTING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION formingpart Of Letters Patent N0. 687,867, dated December 3, 1901.

Original application filed July 27, 1900, Serial No. 25,030. Divided and this application filed October 23, 1900. Serial No- 34,047. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES SPIRO, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county ofNew York,State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-Bar-Shifting Mechanism, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to type-writers, and particularly to mechanism for shifting and holding the type-bars.

The invention has for its object to provide a novel structure for the support of the type bars and for shifting said support to bring the upper and lower case characters, respectively, to the printing-point and also to provide means for shifting the type frame or carrier from one position to another to bring into use either upper or lower case characters, and thus temporarily when the said bar-frame is normally in position to present either the upper or lowercase character to the printing-point.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a partial plan of the type-bar frame. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the same with the adja cent connections and operating devices. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of said frame and of the devices for shifting the same. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the throw-plate. Fig. 5 is a similar view of an operating-lever therefor. Fig.

6 is an elevation of the connecting-plate for a key-lever. Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a perspective of the shifting-lever with a portion of its spring. Fig. 9 is an enlarged elevation of the shifting-lever and cooperating parts in an intermediate position, and Fig. 10 is a detail elevation of the shifting devices shown in Fig. 3 with the parts shown by dotted lines when the spring is shifted by the lever.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several figures of the drawlngs.

This application is a division of my original application, filed July 27, 1900, Serial No. 25,030, and relates to the type-bar shifting and holding mechanisms primarily. For this reason the carriage and auxiliary parts have not been illustrated, as the invention is capable of use with any desired form of cooperatingmechanisms constituting a complete machine.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 7,inclusive,a descrip' tion of the type-bar frame and its support and operation will now be given. 0 repre sents said frame, and it comprises an upper substantially cylindrical portion 0, having any suitable or desirable type-bar brackets 0 secured by screws 0 in any usual or desired manner. Depending at each side of this circular upper portion are legs 0 which extend to the base portion of the frame A and are thereto pivoted, as at 0 The frame A at its top is of such dimension at the opening for receiving the type-bar frame as to permit its oscillation on its pivots for the purpose of bringing into use either the upper or the lower case type on each of the bars of the series employed. The type-bars P are each mounted in the brackets in the usual manner and carry each an upper and lower case type, as is usual. A bu ffer-ring Q is supported in any suitable manner-as, for example, by brackets Q from the bar-frame 0- while the ligaments P of the type-bars are adj ustabl y connected with straps P by means of nuts P in the usual manner, and each of said straps is pivot-ally connected at P with its key-lever, the pivot P being substantially in the same vertical plane as the pivots O of the bar-frame.

It is proper to state that it is not essential to the satisfactory operation of myinvention that the pivotal connection of the type-bar ligaments and of the type-bar frame should bein exactly the same plane. In fact, they may be in entirely diiferent planes; but in order to make the touch of the keyboard as light as possible it is better to have the line of draft in the ligament and straps to the type-bar as near direct as possible, and, furthermore, in order that any depression on a key of the keyboard shall not have a tendency to shift the bar-frame unintentionally it is preferred that the pivots of the ligaments and of the bar-frame should be in substantially the same vertical plane. The pivotal support of the bar-frame at a low point in the machine is a matter of importance in that it reduces to a minimum the amount of movement at the pivot of the frame to produce the extent of movement required at the printingpoint. This movement is indicated by the dotted lines R R in Figs. 2 and 3, the former being the position of the bar-frame in printing one character in either upper or lower case and the latter line B being the position of the frame when said character is not in use. It is apparent upon an inspection of these lines that the distance through which it is required to move the bar-carrier to produce a change in the printingcharacters is extremely limited even at or adjacent to the printing-point, where the greatest movement occurs. The dotted line B of Figs. 2 and 3 represents the space provided in the upper portion of the frame A for the purpose of this movement of the type bar frame.

It now remains to describe the devices employed for shifting the bar-frame from upper to lower case, and vice versa.

Referring to Figs. 3 to 7, O is a pin projecting from the side of the bar-frame O. S is a bracket extending downwardly from the frame A and carrying a pivot S. On thispivot is supported a throw-plate S which is perforated at S Fig. 4, for the reception of the pivot. The upper end of the throw-plate is slotted, as at S", to embrace the pin 0 of the bar-frame. Below the pivot-hole S the plate S carries pins S and S, which are disposed at each side of the pivotal point of the plate and belowsaid point. Upon the same pivot S and in front of the throw-plate S, as seen in Fig. 3, there is mounted a lever T by means .of the perforation T in said lever. This lever is formed with a projection T a pin T and a depending arm T having an angular extension T for the purpose of connecting said lever with the frame of the machine by means of a spring T (see Fig. 7,) secured to the frame A at a point over and in the same vertical plane as the pivot S. U represents a connecting-plate adapted to be mounted on the headed pin T of the lever T, and at its lower end said plate is perforated, as at U, for-connection at U with a key-bar U pivoted at U to the base portion of the frame A. The plate U is recessed at U to allow movement of the extension T of the lever T, which travels within said recess to shift the spring T. A vertical slot U is formed in plate U, which slot embraces the shank of headed pin T of lever T and is of such length as to permit of parts in the position shown in Fig. 3, with the projection U over the pin S and with the throw-plate embracing the pin 0 in the position shown in full lines, which is that occupied by it when the type-bar frame is toward the front of the machine and when, for example, lower-case type are in use, a depression of the key-bar U draws downwardly on the plate U, which by its projection U hearing upon the pin S at the left of the pivot of the throw-plate S oscillates said plate on said pivot and brings the pin 0 and barframe to the position shown in dotted lines, the normal position of pin 0 with relation to the pivot S being indicated by dotted line 00 and the assumed position by this depression of the key-lever being the dotted line y. During this operation the pin S bears downwardly on projection T of the lever T, causing said lever to oscillate on the pivot S and carry the lower end of the spring T to a point below, but still at the same side of said pivot, whereby the spring tension returns the parts to their original position when pressure is removed from the key-bar U When the parts are controlled by the lever T, the lower end of the spring T is thrown to the opposite side of the pivot S to shift the tension of the spring. Now it will be noted that in this action the spring T extending from extension T of lever T to the frame A, always lies in a line passing at the left of pivot S, on which lever T is mounted, and is exerting a tension on the lever T which tends to keep it in the position shown in full lines-that is to say, to keep the projection U of plate U over the pin S of the throw-plateso that upon removing pressure from the key-lever U the parts will resume the position which they held before said lever was depressed. In this manner by the use of the key U and without operating the lever T by hand the type-bar frame may be oscillated while printing the lower-case to bring upper-case letters to the printing-point intermittently, as in the ordinary use of the machine. Now if it be desired to use upper-case letters exclusively, then by raising the lever T to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 10 the pin T carries plate U to the right until the lever strikes against pin S and moves the throw-plate on pivot S so that the upper slotted end of the throw-plate takes the position indicated by the dotted line 11 which is the same as in Fig. 3, thus bringing upper-case letters into use and at the same time shifting spring T to the right of pivot S. This shifting of the plate U brings its projection U over pin S of the throw-plate S, which now lies in a higher horizontal plane than before, and the spring T will extend at the right of the pivot S of the lever and will maintain projection U over pin S so that the bar-frame, thus being in position to present upper-case letters normally at the printing-point, may, as before and solely by the use of the key-bar U be shifted to bring into ITO action at will and intermittently the lower case printing characters. It will be seen, therefore, that with the bar-frame in position to present normally either upper or lower case characters to the printing-point a change of printing characters can be accomplished at the keyboard without manipulating a special device, such as the lever T. When the barframe is shifted to the right by lever T, the projection T contacts with pin S of the throw-plate but when shifted to the left lever T contacts with pin S for a similar purpose. The slot U of plate U permits such a vertical movement of plate U as is necessary when key U is depressed to act upon either of the pins S 8 to operate the throw-plate. At such times the spring T holds pin T in position on one or the other side of a line passing vertically through pivot S, the spring taking a position on one or the other side of pivot S. Furthermore, it is apparent, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, that each of the elements employed in this mechanical structure of bar-frame-shifting mechanism is such as can be readily struck up from sheet metal, closely and concisely assembled, and accurately and satisfactorily operated, whereby not only a minimum of cost of manufacture, but practical utility and serviceability exist.

It is apparent that many of the details of construction herein shown and described may be varied to a great extent by the exercise of such mere mechanical skill as is possessed by persons conversant in the construction and operation of machines of this character.

It is well known in the art that the touch of a keyboard is materially affected by the friction and weight of the parts that are actuated byakey, and these elements must be reduced to a minimum. This object is accomplished by rigidly-connected supports for the type-bar frame, which are diametrical, require only two points of support, and those pivotal in their nature. Furthermore, the points of support are in a vertical plane pass ing through the center of the type-bar frame and substantially the center of the platen, so that the weight and bulk of the parts of the bar-frame on opposite sides of this center balance each other, and thus further contribute materially to lightening the touch.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a type-writer, a machine-frame, an annular type-bar frame having rigid supports pivoted on a line passing through a vertical plane at the center of said bar-frame for oscillation within the frame of the machine; substantially as specified.

2. A type-bar frame comprising an upper annular portion and rigidlyconnected side portions extending to a point below the annular portion, and pivoting means upon the lower sideportions on a line passing through a vertical plane at the center of said annular portion; substantially as specified.

3. In a type-writer, a machine-frame, an oscillating type-bar frame pivoted at its lower portion in the base of said machine-frame at a point substantially in the central vertical plane of the type'bar frame; substantially as specified.

4. In a type-writer,a machine-frame',atypebar frame comprisingan upper annular portion adapted to receive and carry type-bar brackets, integral side portions extending downwardly and pivoted to the machineframe at the base thereof on a line passing through a vertical plane at the center of said annular portion; substantially as specified.

5. The combination with a type -writer frame, of an oscillating type-bar frame pivoted at opposite sides on a line passingthrough a vertical plane at substantially its center; substantially as specified.

6. In atype-writer,a machine-fram e, a typebar frame pivoted at the base of the machineframe and substantially in a vertical plane passing through the center of said bar-frame, type-bars carried by said bar-frame, key-bars mounted in said machine frame, and ligaments for said type-bars connected with said key-bars in the same vertical plane with the pivot of the type-bar frame; substantially as specified.

7. In a type-writer, a machine-frame, aplaten supported at the upper portion thereof, a type-bar frame comprising an upper annular portion having opposite rigidlyconnected side portions depending to form a pivotal support for the type-bar frame in a vertical plane passing through substantially the center of the platen, type-bar brackets, type-bars, and a buffer for the same carried by said barframe; substantially as specified.

8. In a type-writer, an oscillating type-bar frame having a pivotal support at its lower portion substantiallyin a vertical plane passing through the center of the bar-frame, typebars supported by said frame,key-bars mounted independent of said frame, and pivotal connections from said type-bars, to said keybars in a vertical plane passing through the center of the bar-frame; substantially as specified.

9. In a type-writer, a pivotally-supported annular type-bar frame, type-bars with a plurality of printing characters on each, a platen, and means for oscillating the type-bar frame to bring different characters to the printingpoint; substantially as specified.

10. A pivotallysupported annular typebar frame, and means for oscillating the same on its pivots; substantially as specified.

11. In a type-writer, a pivoted annular oscillating type-bar carrier, and means for shifting the same into or out of either of its operative positions through the inst-rumentality of a key at the keyboard; substantially as specified.

12. In a type-writer, a pivotally-supported type-bar frame having a projection, athrowplate supported from the frame of the ma- &

chine and connected with said projection, and means for operating the throw-plate to shift the type-bar frame; substantially as specified.

13. A pivoted type-bar framehaving a pin, a throw-plate embracing said pin supported pivotally from the frame of the machine and having a pin below and at each side of its pivotal support, and means for operating the throw-plate through the instrumentality of either of said pins; substantially as specified.

14. A pivoted type-barframe, athrow-plate for the same having oppositely-located pins, a lever having a pin moving in an are below the pins of the throwplate, a connecting member extending from a key-lever to the pin of the said lever and having a head with projections to operate with the pins of the throw-plate; substantially as specified.

15. As a means for shifting the type-bar carrier of a type-writer, a throw-plate and a lever, both of which are mounted on a common pivot, the throw-plate having a pin 'at each side of and below the pivot, a lever having a projection and a pin, a connecting-plate having a head with projections for operating in conjunction With each pin of the throwplate, and a spring extending from the lever to the frame of the machine; substantially as specified.

16. As a means for shifting the type-bar frame of a type-writer, a throw-plate connected with the frame, supported from the type-writer frame and having a pin at each I per end, a pivot-opening, and a pin below and at each side of said opening; substantially as specified.

18. A lever for a type-bar-frame-shifting mechanism having a projection, an opening for its pivotal support, a pin below said opening, and a projecting arm below the pin for the connection of a spring; substantially as specified.

19. A connecting-plate for type-bar-frameshifting mechanism comprising a head having projections, an extension for connection with a key-lever, and an intermediate opening for the reception of a lever and its pin; substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I ai'fix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES SPIRO. 

